Pick Of The Day - The Radio Times

Thursday 17th September 2015

Discovering Errol Flynn
Did any Hollywood star ever burn so bright then fall so far? In the late 1930s Flynn was the crown prince of swashbucklers, tackling roles like Captain Blood and Robin Hood with charm, athleticism and, as one commentator points out, no cynicism whatsoever. And despite a reputation for being hard to work with, he formed lasting relationships with directors such as Michael Curtiz.
But failure to be drafted for the Second World War, a very public rape accusation (dismissed in court), drink problems and Warner Bros' inability to find good roles for him meant that by 1945 Flynn was tarnished goods.
It’s a sorry story, yet it’s a testament to his on-screen charisma that his life remains fascinating.